CRIST: Insurance Industry Not Following Law

Gov. Charlie Crist again lashed out at insurers today and encouraged directors of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to keep up the good work.

“(Citizens) used to be the dumping ground for the insurance industry of Florida,” Crist told the Citizens Board of Governors early this morning.

“Some in the private sector are afraid of competition. That is not the American way. Competition is the American way. And if they don’t want to compete, Florida will,” he went on.

Crist also said he is anxious for insurers to respond to the subpoenas issued by the Office of Insurance Regulation so he and the Cabinet can figure out why premiums have not come down as expected.

“When we get those answers back, I’m a lawyer, we have an opportunity to take action,” Crist said.

“My belief is that the industry is not adhering to the law. We can pass all the laws on the books we want, but we’ve got to make sure the laws are enforced,” Crist said, referring to legislation signed into law in January.